Local artist Manny Castro admitted Saturday to the Huffington Post that he was the mystery man responsible for spray painting, "Tastes Like Hate" on the wall of Torrance's Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant.

Why He Did it

Castro, who is gay, explained to Huff-Post that he felt compelled to make a statement to protest anti-gay remarks made by Chick-fil-A founder/chairman, Dan Cathy, and the millions of Chick-fil-A dollars donated to anti-gay organizations through the fast-food chain's WinShape Foundation.

Many members of the LGBT community, including Castro, consider these organizations -- organizations bent on denying marriage equality and other rights to gay and lesbian Americans -- to be hate groups. Go figure.

Castro explained that his heart sunk when he saw news footage of thousands showing support for Cathy on Wednesday’s "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," that it reminded him of “...the photographs from 40 years ago of Christians protesting blacks marrying whites. It is the same thing." Apparently, Castro felt it was time for a little negative advertising -- street art style.

Negative Ads can Work Magic

As much as we hate to admit it, negative political messaging works. Just ask Newt Gingrich. After Romney torpedoed Newt’s chances for the Republican nomination with a withering barrage of attack ads on Florida radio and TV, Gingrich’s support was effectively cut in half, leaving Newt a quivering shell -- barely escaping with his arrogance intact.

Similarly, even though "Tastes Like Hate" cost a little less to produce than Romney's ads and was quickly sandblasted into dust, it was every bit as effective, albeit on a smaller scale. The graffiti's clever and pointed message undoubtedly remains etched in the memories of those who saw Castro's work in person, print or on TV -- forever pairing Chick-fil-A and bigotry in the minds of many. In a weird, subliminal way, "Tastes Like Hate" even calls into question the quality of Chick-fil-A's product. I'm not sure what breaded hate tastes like, but I'll bet it sucks.

Not bad for a $1.29 production, Manny.

The Envelope Please...

For its pith, its pluck, and above all, its point, we've chosen Manny Castro's "Tastes Like Hate" to be the August 2012 winner of the first ever (and probably last) LA County Liberal Examiner's "Best Negative Political Ad of the Month Award."

[Note to Manny: Pick up your trophy at the reception/dinner held at the California Chicken Grill]

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Russ Buchanan's work has appeared in such disparate publications as "Motley Fool", "Op/ed News", "Houston Chronicle", "Midnight Graffiti Magazine" and various online publications, including his pet project, "Craving Sense - The Russ Buchanan Blog". Though a died-in-the-wool, bleeding-hearted, ACLU card-carrying Liberal, he tends to be as mean to the Democrats as he is to the remedial class on the other side of the aisle. Buchanan can be yelled at or shamelessly fawned over at mgontv@aol.com.